Written questions by Griffith.

Innovation and Technology, what information the Intellectual Property Office holds on the number of patents registered in June 2024.

There were 691 patents granted (registered) by the Intellectual Property Office in June 2024.

Innovation and Technology, how many diversity, equality and inclusion officers his Department employs.

Currently, the Department employs two staff whose role is solely dedicated to diversity and inclusion the focus of these roles is on compliance with the statutory obligations, including the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), and delivering key priorities, as set out in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, and the Civil Service People Plan.

What metrics his Department plans to use to monitor the UK's progress on (a) developing and (b) supporting clinical trials.

The Department publishes a UK Clinical Research Delivery Performance Indicators Report monthly, which is available at the following link:https://sites.google.com/nihr.ac.uk/thefutureofukclinicalresearch/home/news-updates/performance-indicators-report?erca=1The metrics of the report include, but are not limited to:- the proportion of all studies receiving combined regulatory review achieved within 60 days, measured from submission to combined regulatory decision;- the proportion of commercial contract studies open to recruitment within 60 days of the Health Research Authority’s approval letter, or equivalent process used by the devolved administrations;- the proportion of commercial contract studies recruiting their first participant within 30 days of the sites opening to recruitment, except where this is not expected in the study milestone plan, for example rare disease studies;- the proportion of all open studies on track, delivering on time and target; and- the recruitment to all studies, including all commercial studies.By monitoring these key performance indicators, the Department is committed to improving clinical trial performance in the United Kingdom.

Innovation and Technology, what funding his Department has allocated to help reach (a) full gigabit, (b) full superfast and (c) national 5G coverage by 2030.

Over £1.6 billion of contracts have already been announced as part of Project Gigabit, to extend the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband beyond commercially viable areas across the UK. A further £1 billion of funding is proposed in live and upcoming procurements. Superfast broadband is already available in 98% of homes and business premises. Non-standalone 5G is available outside 92% of UK premises and two of the four Mobile Network Operators have begun to deploy standalone 5G. The previous government set an ambition for nationwide standalone 5G coverage in populated areas by 2030, but attached no government subsidy to this.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Independent review of university spin-out companies, published on 21 November 2023, what steps his Department plans to take to support the growth of university spin-out companies.

Universities have a vital role to play in supporting the Government’s growth mission; in 2021/22 university spin-outs raised £5.29 billion in investment. As stated in our manifesto, the Government will work with universities to support spin-outs which play a vital role in creating the innovations that will support our national Missions. We welcome the work that Irene Tracey and Andrew Williamson produced for the independent review and will consider their recommendations carefully.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to help improve the Office for Life Sciences.

The life sciences sector will play a crucial role in both kickstarting economic growth and building an NHS fit for the future. We plan to strengthen the Office for Life Sciences, so that it is politically empowered to truly drive delivery across government. We will bolster the Office for Life Science’s operation across departments to cement this sector’s world-leading status.

What steps National Highways is taking to help reduce congestion at the A27 Crossbush junction.

This government is committed to maintaining and renewing our road networks to ensure they work for all road users and to future investment on the Strategic Road Network. However, as the Chancellor has said, we face the worst set of circumstances since the Second World War. She has committed to presenting to Parliament, before the summer recess, an assessment of the state of the new Government’s spending inheritance and has made clear that she will not shrink from difficult choices.

Whether her Department has commissioned research on the level of airborne particulate matter on the A283 in Storrington.

The Department for Transport has not commissioned research on the level of airborne particulate matter on the A283 in Storrington. However, the Environment Agency does record air quality in Storrington as part of the national air quality monitoring network on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.